Aquaman post-credits scene explained

The superhero film features one mid-credits sequence

As tradition dictates, Warner Bros's latest entry into the superhero genre, Aquaman, features a post-credits sequence – or, more accurately, a mid-credits sequence.

With almost every comics-based film now including a post- or mid-credits scene to either hint at future films or sneak in an added joke, Aquaman uses the format to reveal that the film's secondary villain, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), has miraculously escaped death.

The character is seen floating on a raft in the middle of the ocean, with both his helmet (fused with Atlantean technology) and his armour destroyed, before being rescued by several men on a boat passing by.

After we're shown that the boat's interior is home to someone with a keen interest in Aquaman, as indicated by the newspaper clippings and photographs pinned to a large board, his rescuer is revealed to be Doctor Stephen Shin (Randall Park).

He's a character we've already seen in the film, shown on television as a guest on a news programme, although in the original comics he has a much larger role, as a friend to a young Arthur Curry (AKA Aquaman).

He helps the hero develop his powers, before turning on him and attempting to kill him because he wouldn't reveal the location of Atlantis.

In the mid-credits sequence, Manta and Shin make a pact that the latter will help Manta discover Aquaman's true identity and repair his helmet. In return, Manta will reveal everything he knows about Atlantis.

The scene suggests that Black Manta will become the main antagonist if the film gets a sequel.

Aquaman stars Jason Momoa as the DC Comics superhero, who must defeat his villainous half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) and take his rightful place on the throne of Atlantis. Amber Heard and Nicole Kidman also star.

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